Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-23
Misfellaneous.
Shall We Grow Sweet Corn.


canning factory at Hallowell, we have
been asked to give the public some facts,
from the farmers standpoint. regarding
the profits of growing sweet corn for
packing factory We use the words
..from the farmers standpoint" because
there are two parties nterested-the pack
err, and the grower; but we have ever
maintained that these interests are mutual.
If the farmer obtains good price for his
corn and gets his cash when the corn is
delivered, he ought to be willing for the
packer, who goes to the expense to build
and equip factory, to make fair profit.
1t only needs for any one to talk with
farmers who have grown corn for pack
ing, or to visit sections of our State where
a prosperous factory has been located for
several years, to become convinced that
the growing of sweet corn is a profitable
branch OF farming, and that farmers who
are patrons of corn factory are general
" prosperous farmers. Their fields are
in good condition, their buildings are in
good repair, there are no miserable tum-
bledown fences about the pasture, and IT
they want new harness, or a parlor
organ, why. they can have it. These are
common signs of prosperity wherever a
we'll managed corn factory has been in
successful operation for many years.
We have more than once spoken OF the
fact that what makes farming profitable
business is that farmers can grow cash
crop. Now the sweet corn crop is a cash
crop, and the packing factory carries
market to every mans farm. That is to
say, where the farmer has good team
and corn factory is within easy distance
of his farm. there he has the home mar
ket so much desired, and market that
turns him cash as soon as his crop is all
harvested. Of no other crop that the
farmer raises can this be so truthfully
said as of sweet corn. Now let us present
a few facts as to the prices received by
farmers for actual crops grown.
Within day or two we have had the
pleasure of an interview with Mr.. j. w.
True OF New Gloucester, who has had
considerable experience in growing sweet
corn. When he first commenced to grow
it he was obliped to haul fourteen miles
to factory. and then, he assures us, he
regarded sweet corn as the most profitable
crop he could gr0W. Since then
factories have been built nearer his
farm and he now has to haul but few
miles, although many in his town do
from seven to eight miles. and they are
sure it pays them we'll even at this dis
lance from a factory. Mr.. True informs
US that his crop of last year which con-
sisted of four acres paid him $245.00, or
$62 90 an acre. Another farmer in his
town grew four acres, one of which paid
him $S7 90. Mr.. True tells US that the
farmers in his section of the State are
well satisfied with the prices received for
their sweet corn, per acre, and would
purchase the factory themselves and
operate it rather than to have it taken from
their midst. A statement of some other
good crops-the facts of which are we'll
substantiated, having been obtained from
the books of the different packing COM
panies-is given. Atthe Fryeburg factory
of the Portland Packing Company in 1888
the Average price paid the farmers was
$4,000 per acre. In one instance a field
of five acres yielded $4,000 per acre and
another of three acres yielded $4,000.
This last was also the yield of three acres
grown in Vassalboro last season, for the
factory at that place. In 1882, the
Winslow company paid Mr.. f. A. Dan
forth of Norway $109 90 for the yield ofone
acre. rom all the facts that have come
to our knowledge it is safe to say that an
average of $4,000 per acre may be
obtained, cash, tor the corn of our rich
and high manuri1sg will carry this sum
upward TO $500, $S00 and $4,000 per
acre.
Then there is another consideration
| The value of the fodder is an important
item, and especially is this the case where
farmers make specially of dairyng in
some of its branches This is especially
true of farmers livirg in the vicinity of
Augusta and Hallowell who manufacture
milk tor these cities. And again, more
especially is this the case where sweet
corn fodder is put into enslage. Mr.
True informs us that in New Gloucester
Gray, Poland and towns in that section OF
the State, where farmers are engaged
largely in making milk tor Portland
market, those who have the largest herds
of cows are the best patrons of the pack
ing factories.
There can be no question as to the GER
taintv of the establishment OF the corn
factory at Hallowell. The matter is in
good hands and is being well managed.
Governor Bodwell, with that great liberal
lty for which he is so distinguished. where
the business interests of the State or the
good will of its people are concerned, has
pledped n sum which Dlaces the factory g